And the bugs can't get use to it. It smothers them.

Jim

That was going to be my next option. Just not sure about effectiveness on soft scale. Dormant oil simply smothers insects. Not sure if that would work on waxy bodies like scale or mealys.. Using it on my citrus and avocado because they are just starting to bloom, and I don't want to kill bees. Of course there's always insectecidal soap, but that smells worse than Malathion, and also needs to be washed off. It's a never ending battle.

The All Seasons horticultural Oil works very well on Mealys, Carol.
It does a pretty good job!
Wouldn't it be so easy to grow Orchids if one didn't have to deal with those darn bugs?!

I blame Adam and Eve myself.

Jim

Probably Eve, Jim.

Yeh, you guys always blame the woman for everything.

For good reason, Carol.

Be nice ,Ken, or I'll tell you about all of the outdoor gardening chores I've got done in the last two weeks, while you all are still looking for spring.

Don't do that, Carol. I would have to go fetch another glass of wine. Though I look forward to warm weather (spring), I also dread all the work I have to do to move all the 100's of plants outside. It is a double-edged-sword.

Ha ha, good on you Carol!

Now, now, Kate. Not everyone can live in paradise!

Of course, if y'all would get rid of all the snow-birds, there would be room for folks like me to "migrate" south.

Excuses, excuses Ken. There's lots of room, and the snowbirds are only here from October to Easter.

I'd happily take Ken's arrival over the snowbirds any day.

Kate

I find the Dr. Bronner's Castile soap works great on spot applications for the bugs. Glen at Piping Rock told me it is his secret weapon. Of course, I guarantee if you can control the ants the scale reduction is incredible. I use Terro baits all over the GH even in winter.

For the mealybugs, I spray the Castile and Bayer directly on them. Remember to move the top mealy with a toothpick or skewer and spray underneath. They protect each other by layering one on top of the other. Brush them out with a soft toothbrush after spraying and then spray again. Then spray again in a couple of days and repeat several times.

Melissa, I use the Peppermint Dr Bronner's on myself...do you think that would be safe to use? And do you dilute it? I LOVE Dr. Bronner stuff.

I dilute a dime sized amount to 1/2 gallon sprayer. Just like you would do with dish soap. I use the Peppermint and that is what Glen uses too. I wonder if the tea tree kind would work too. I love the tea tree oil Dr. Bronner's. I might try it as a test this spring.

I do use the Terro bait. It's the only one I've found that works. I just found the Dr. Bonner's peppermint soap, so I will certainly try that first!

If someone would send me a link/site to a picture of the flower on Rlc. (Pot.) Exotic Ruby 'Exotic Orchids' x Rlc. (Blc.) Mary Anderson 'Exotic Plum', I would appreciate it. I have struck out finding a picture of this plant's flower.